Valve tester control enhancements

ABSTRACT

A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No. 11/058,506, filed Feb. 15, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,529, which is a continuation-in-part of my pending patent application Ser. No. 10/351,636, filed Jan. 24, 2003. The disclosures of each of these patents applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to valve testing apparatus that rotate the valve control to open and close the valve, and more particularly pertains to improvements in valve testing apparatus that facilitate rotation of the valve in a manner that minimizes the potential for damage to the valve during the rotation event, and also facilitates accurate detection and recording of the most pertinent aspects of the rotation event for memorializing the rotation event for maintaining complete records of the maintenance of the valve.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Valves, particularly those used to control the flow of water in municipal distribution systems, spend virtually the entirety of their useful lives in either an open condition or a closed condition, with normally no movement between those conditions, especially if the valve is located underground in a distribution line or on a street hydrant. These long periods of remaining in a single state tends to make it difficult to change the condition of the valve in those few times when change is desired, such as in emergency situations when a leak develops in a pipe connected to the valve. Therefore, it is desirable to periodically “exercise”, or rotate the control stem of the valve between the open and closed conditions not only to avoid freeze up due to long periods of in action, but also to verify that the valve is operational.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, it is believed that these devices do not present a suitable solution for suspending a valve testing or exercising apparatus in a manner that facilitates the testing process by a single person and that easily adapts to variations in the orientations or positions of the valves often encountered under real world conditions.

A rotation event for a valve being tested typically includes rotating the control stem of the valve from one limit of travel (e.g., the fully open condition) to the other limit of rotation (e.g., the fully closed condition). This cycle may be repeated if desired, but is performed to establish that the valve is still functional.

Further, it has become increasingly desirable to record, both accurately and completely, various aspects of the valve exercising or rotation event. Because the valves to be tested are in typically in widely scattered and sometimes remote locations, the ability to record the pertinent information about the rotation event and bring that information back to a central database containing collected information about the valves is not only highly desirable, but may be critical to keeping valves operational in times of emergency. However, previous valve testing or exercising apparatus have relied heavily upon the operator to locate each of the valves to be tested, and accurately identify each of the particular valves being tested. While data regarding a particular valve rotation event may be recorded in an automated or automatic manner by the valve testing apparatus, the known systems rely entirely on the operator to accurately identify which valve is being tested during each rotation event. If the valve has not been accurately identified by the operator, which is certainly conceivable when the area of a single road intersection may have two, three, four or more different underground valves to be located and tested, the data that is recorded is not associated with the correct valve. Unfortunately, when the valve testing system relies solely upon the operator to identify the valve being tested, it is also conceivable that the same valve could be tested over and over but be “identified” as a number of different valves simply by entering a different valve identification for each “test”, and such abuse may be hard to detect in the limited information recorded during the test.

Thus, there is a need for a valve testing apparatus that is capable of identifying different valves independently of the operator's identification so that mistakes in valve identification do not cause the test data from a rotation event to be associated with the wrong valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a valve tester system is contemplated that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the system, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of testing a valve is contemplated that comprises positioning a valve tester assembly above the valve, engaging the valve with the valve tester assembly, rotating the valve using the valve tester assembly during a rotation event, and detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some implementations of the method, the step of detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes receiving a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signal using a GPS signal receiver. In some implementations, the step of receiving a GPS signal by the GPS signal receiver is performed while the valve tester assembly is rotating the valve. In some implementations, the step of detecting the location of the valve tester assembly further includes recording the detected location in memory of the valve tester assembly.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

One advantage of the suspension portion of the valve tester assembly of the present invention is that the task of operating or testing or exercising a valve is in most cases converted from a multiple person job to a job that can be performed by a single worker.

Another advantage of the suspension portion of the valve tester assembly of the present invention is that precise positioning of a vehicle carrying the invention is not necessary, and the efficiency of the process of testing underground valves is thereby increased.

Yet another advantage of the suspension portion of the valve tester assembly of the present invention is that not only is the task of testing the valve converted from a two person job into a one person job, but the physical requirements for the person performing the task is reduced, thus reducing the potential for injury or accidents.

Still another advantage of the present invention is the ability to accurately identify the location of a valve being tested or exercised, in a manner that is independent of the input of the operator, so that data collected during a rotation event can be accurately associated with the correct valve.

Other advantages of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new valve tester suspension assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in an extended in use position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention in an extended position resting on a ground surface.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotating device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the rotating device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the articulated arm of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a locking means of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a medial portion of the articulated arm of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate locking means for the articulated arm assembly.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the present invention in a retracted position.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a valve tester apparatus of the present invention with optional control functions.

FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the valve tester apparatus of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting a first aspect of a process for testing a valve using the valve tester assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart depicting a second aspect of a process for testing a valve using the valve tester assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart depicting a third aspect of a process for testing a valve using the valve tester assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart depicting a fourth aspect of a process for testing a valve using the valve tester assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart depicting a fifth aspect of a process for testing a valve using the valve tester assembly of the present.

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of various functional components of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of an operating menu displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of a settings menu displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of an optional settings menu displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a schematic representation of a GPS menu displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic representation of a video menu displayed on a display screen of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 26 thereof, a new valve tester assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 12, the valve tester suspension assembly 10 generally comprises an articulated arm assembly 20 designed for coupling to a vehicle 2. A hydraulically powered rotating assembly 30 is pivotally coupled to the arm assembly 20 such that the rotating assembly 30 is positionable in a substantially horizontal orientation at a selectable position in a three dimensional space adjacent the vehicle 2. A shaft 12 is provided having a first end 13 operationally couplable to the rotating assembly 30 for rotating the shaft 12. Typically, the shaft has a receiving portion having a geometric cross-sectional shape for receiving a protrusion 32 rotated by the rotating assembly 30. An adapter 28 is attachable to the protrusion 32 to permit exercising of fire hydrant valves. Alternately, the protrusion may include a geometric cross-sectional receiver portion for engaging fire hydrant valves and the shaft may be shaped to engage the receiver portion of the protrusion.

The arm assembly includes a first arm portion 22 designed for coupling to the vehicle 2 by means such as a hitch on the vehicle. For the purposes of this application, the term vehicle is specifically intended to include any device or structure for transporting persons or things thereby including direct connection to a trailer supporting a hydraulic power source. The arm assembly further includes a second arm portion 24 pivotally and rotatably coupled to a distal end 23 of the first arm portion 22. The arm assembly 20 includes a third arm portion 26 pivotally coupled to a distal portion 25 of the second arm portion 24.

In an embodiment, a first biasing assembly 40 is coupled between the first arm portion 22 and the second arm portion 24. A second biasing assembly 42 is coupled between the second arm portion 24 and the third arm portion 26. A third biasing assembly 44 is coupled between the third arm portion 26 and the rotating assembly 30.

To achieve the pivotal and rotatable coupling between the first and second arm portions, the first arm portion has a pivoting connection portion 16. The second arm portion is pivotally coupled to the connection portion 16. Connection portion 16 further includes an extension portion 79 that extends back adjacent to a main portion 15 of first arm portion 22 when the main portion 15 and the connection portion 16 are positioned in alignment with each other. Biasing means 40 is coupled to the extension portion 79 such that biasing means 40 pivots with second arm portion 24 when connection portion 16 pivots.

Hydraulic supply line assemblies 50 are coupled to the arm assembly 20 for providing hydraulic power to the rotating assembly 30. Each hydraulic line assembly includes a first fixed portion 52 coupled to the second arm portion 24. Each hydraulic line assembly 50 further includes a second fixed portion 54 coupled to the third arm portion 26. Each hydraulic line assembly 50 includes a flexible portion 56 coupling the first fixed portion 52 to the second fixed portion 54. A protective covering 69 is coupled to the flexible portion 56 of each hydraulic line assembly 50. Each second fixed portion 54 is operationally coupled to a respective one of an input and an output on the rotating assembly such that each of the hydraulic line assemblies forms either an inlet line or an outlet line. The connectors, as shown in FIG. 7, are differentiated to insure the inlet line and the outlet line are not reversed when connecting the invention to an auxiliary hydraulic power unit.

In the biased embodiment, the first biasing assembly 40 is a pair of first biasing assembly spring members 41 and the second biasing assembly 42 is a pair of second biasing assembly spring members 43. Each of the second pair of second biasing assembly spring members 43 is coupled between a distal end 60 of an extension portion 62 of the second arm portion 24 and a medial portion 64 of the third arm portion 26. Extension portion 62 may be a separate piece attached to second arm portion 24 or may be an integral extension of second arm portion 24. The third biasing assembly 44 is a single third biasing assembly spring member 45.

To enhance the safety of the biased embodiment in the event of catastrophic failure of a spring member, each spring member of the first, second and third biasing assemblies has a respective elastic core member 66 extending through the spring member.

A hydraulic control mechanism 68 is coupled to the rotating assembly 30 for facilitating user operation of the rotating assembly 30. Corresponding to the currently used practice for testing underground valves, a counter 38 is coupled to a display flange 77 of the rotating assembly 30 for counting rotations of the shaft 12. Additionally, a torque indicator gauge 78 is operationally coupled to the rotating assembly to indicate torque on the rotating assembly. This provides a new method of testing alternative to counting rotations of the shaft. A torque adjustment means 75 is operationally coupled to the rotating assembly for adjusting the amount of torque applied by the rotating assembly 30 to prevent overstressing of the valve assembly being exercised.

A first locking means 70 is provided for locking the second arm portion 24 from rotating relative to the first arm portion 22. A second locking means 76 is provided for locking the second arm portion 24 from pivoting relative to the first arm portion 22.

The first locking means 70 is a pin 72 insertable through the first arm portion 22 and the connection portion 16 in spaced relationship to a rotational pivot point 21 of the connection portion 16. Thus, the connection portion 16 is held in position by pin 72.

The second locking means 76 includes a pair of aligned holed flanges 74 in the connection portion 16 of the first arm portion 22. The second arm portion 24 includes a locking aperture 17 alignable with holes 18 in the flanges 74. A locking pin 19 is insertable through the aligned holes 18 and aperture 17 whereby the second arm 24 is prevented from pivoting relative to the connection portion 16 of the first arm portion 22. Additionally, in an embodiment, the second locking means 76 may be a locking bar 27 extending from the second arm portion 24 for engaging a latch member 28 fixedly coupled to the first arm portion 22 as shown in FIG. 11. The locking bar and latch member may be used alone for securing the arm assembly during relatively short trips between valve sites or in combination with the locking pin 19 and aligned holes 18 for maximum stability as desired. The invention may include either one of the above described locking structures or both in combination as each provides unique advantages.

Optionally, an extension member 14 is couplable between the articulated arm assembly 20 and the vehicle 2 for spacing the second arm portion 24 from the vehicle 2 to permit free movement of the second arm portion 24 when a tailgate of the vehicle is in an open position.

A plurality of handles 58 are coupled to the rotating assembly 30 for facilitating grasping and movement of the rotating assembly 30. The handles 58 are being arranged to form two opposing handle pairs 59. The handle pairs 59 are substantially aligned with respect to each other.

In an embodiment, the rotating assembly 30 is coupled to the articulated arm assembly such that the rotating assembly is pivotable around a horizontal axis to permit positioning of the rotating assembly 30 in a desired position to engage valves that are not in perfect horizontal alignment such that the shaft is in a non-vertical position when engaged to the valve. The coupling of the rotating assembly 30 is achieved by having a post 35 extend from the rotating portion. A rotating assembly connection member 33 includes a bearing portion 36 secured to the post 35 and a pair of limiting bars 37 that extend out from the rotating assembly connection member 33 to contact the rotating assembly to limit the pivoting range of the rotating assembly around the horizontal axis.

In use, the articulated arm assembly is coupled to a vehicle using a conventional hitch mounted anywhere on the vehicle including the front or back. The vehicle can be driven to a position adjacent an access port in the road that gives access to an underground valve. The invention permits positioning of the vehicle anywhere within a range of the access port so that the vehicle does not have to be moved to precisely align the rotating device with the access port. Typically, the valve being tested is positioned a distance beneath the road, often 4 to six feet. A shaft, which may have an adjustable length either by being telescopic or having a one or more extension pieces, is engaged to the valve. The articulated arm is unlocked to permit free movement of the arm by a single person. The rotating device, typically a heavy hydraulically powered device, is then grasped and may be positioned by a single person.

When the biasing assemblies are used the weight of the rotating device is partially supported by the biasing in the articulated arm. Adjustments to the amount of support can be achieved through the use of multiple interchangeable springs or other known methods of varying the resistance of a biasing member.

The pivoting of the articulated arm permits movement of the rotating device within a three dimensional space while holding the rotating device in the necessary substantially horizontal orientation. Additional pivoting of the rotating device is provided to facilitate attachment of the rotating device to shafts when the shaft is slightly off vertical orientation as may happen when the valve is in a slightly tilted position. The rotating device can be positioned immediately over the shaft and then lowered to engage the shaft. The rotating device remains in engagement with the shaft by the residual weight of the rotating device not supported by the articulated arm or the user. The user may also push downwardly on the rotating device during use if desired or otherwise deemed necessary.

Typically, the testing is done by loosening and re-tightening a number of rotations. In an embodiment, a counter is used to count the number of rotations to facilitate the current testing methods. Alternately, torque measurement style testing is now facilitated by the present invention if the invention is equipped for measuring or responding to pre-determined torque conditions during rotation. Upon completion of the testing, the rotating device is disengaged from the shaft and the articulated arm returned to a storage or retracted position and then locked into place to permit safe movement of the vehicle to the next testing place. This new method provides a significant increase in efficiency allowing many more valves to be tested in a given amount of time.

Through use of the adapter described above or through integral shaping of the protrusion of the rotating device, the rotating device may also be engaged to fire hydrant valves as desired.

In an embodiment of the invention that includes variations that may be employed with the above-described elements of the invention (such as are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14), a valve tester assembly 100 is provided that includes a support 102 that may be mounted on the previously described articulated arm assembly 20, a motor assembly 104 acting as a means for rotating the valve stem, a hydraulic fluid control device 106 for controlling fluid flow to the motor assembly 104, and a controlling assembly 108 for controlling the hydraulic fluid control device and detecting and recording various aspects of a valve rotation event by the valve tester assembly 100.

The support 102 of the valve tester assembly 100 may include a platform 110 that has a top and a bottom according to the normal orientation of these features of the platform 110 when the valve tester assembly is in a normal use position and the platform is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane. The platform 110 may have an aperture 112 extending between the top and bottom. The support 102 may also include a control panel 114 for supporting various controls of the valve tester assembly 100. The control panel 114 may extend from the platform 110 in an outwardly and downwardly direction from the platform so that the control panel is inclined toward a position of a user operating the valve tester assembly 100. The support 102 may further include a handle structure 116 that is mounted on the platform 110, and may include a pair of handles 118, 119 that extend adjacent to the control panel 114. (Additional handles may also be provided, as shown in FIG. 1.) Each handle 118, 119 of the pair of handles may be positioned on opposite ends of the control panel 114, and may extend in substantially the same direction from the platform 110 to be grasped by the hands of the operator during the valve rotation event, while keeping the hands of the operator proximate to the controls on the valve tester assembly for periodic adjustment as needed.

The motor assembly 104 of the invention is provided for rotating the shaft 12 to exercise a valve engaged by the shaft. The motor assembly 104 is generally positioned on the support 102, and includes a motor 120 which is preferably hydraulically powered motor, but could be powered by other means. The motor 120 may be mounted on the platform 110 at a location on the top of the platform. A rotatable shaft 122 extends from the motor 120, and preferably extends through the aperture 112 in the platform 110. The motor assembly 104 may include a shaft coupler 124 that is mounted on the rotatable shaft 122, and that includes a cavity for receiving an upper end of the shaft 12. The motor assembly 104 may include a rotation sensor 128 (not shown) that is mounted on the support 102 and a magnet (not shown) that is mounted the shaft coupler 124. The rotation sensor is positioned adjacent to the shaft coupler 124 such that rotation of the shaft coupler moves the magnet past the rotation sensor as the shaft coupler is rotated.

The support 102 may also include a housing 130 that is mounted on the platform 110. The housing 130 may be positioned on the top of the platform 110, and may form an enclosure for various elements of the valve tester assembly, including the hydraulic fluid control device and the controlling assembly.

The hydraulic fluid control device 106 of the invention may comprise a valve assembly 138 that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the motor 120, and may control the flow of the fluid to the motor in a manner that permits the motor to rotate in two opposite rotational directions (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise). The valve assembly 138 may also serve to control the speed of the rotation of the motor 120 during the valve rotation event, as well as the rotational force applied by the motor to the valve during the valve rotation event. In the most preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve assembly 138 comprises an assembly of a plurality of valves that are integrated together into a single unit, and may include a valve for controlling the volume of flow through the valve assembly 138 to control the speed of rotation to be applied to the valve to be tested, a valve for controlling the pressure of flow through the valve assembly 138 to control the rotational force applied to the valve to be tested, and a valve for controlling the direction of flow through the valve assembly 138 to control the directed of rotation of the valve to be tested.

Optionally, the hydraulic fluid control device 106 may also include means for sensing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied by the hydraulic pump to the motor 120 and also means for sensing the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid supplied by the hydraulic pump to the motor 120.

The controlling assembly 108 of the valve tester assembly 100 may include a display 132 for conveying information to the operator of the valve tester assembly 100. The display 132 may comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, or even a light emitting diode (LED) array although such is not as preferred as the LCD screen. For example, the information that may be displayed on the screen of the display may include the value of the rotational force currently being applied to the valve being tested, the number of revolutions that the valve has been turned, and this information may be conveyed in an alphanumeric form or a graphical form, or a combination of both forms.

The controlling assembly 108 may include a number of manual or hand-operated controls 134 for permitting the operator to control and adjust the operation of the motor 120 through, for example, the operation of the valve assembly 124. The controls 134 may be embodied in any suitable form, such as, for example, buttons, toggle switches, blister switches, and the like. Illustratively, the controls 134 may include a switch 136 for changing the rotational direction of the motor 120, a switch for adjusting the speed of the rotation of the valve being tested, and a switch for adjusting the rotational force being applied to the valve being tested. The controls 134 may include a switch dedicated to each of these functions, switches that control a number of these functions. Other suitable switches may be provided, for example, to control various parameters of the rotation event testing or to enter information into the valve tester assembly 100.

The controlling assembly 108 may also include a control module 140 for performing a number of control functions for the valve tester assembly, including control of the motor 120 through the hydraulic fluid control device 106 (see FIG. 20). The control module 140 may include a programmed or programmable logic processor, or other processing or control device suitable for administering the functions that need to be controlled and the information that is stored.

The controlling assembly 108 may also include memory or storage 142 that is in communication with the control module 140. In the most preferred embodiments of the invention, the memory 142 performs two functions, although one of these functions may be omitted, or additional functions may also be performed by the memory 142. Preferably, the memory 142 includes some type of non-volatile, or persistent, storage device to retain data during times when the controlling assembly 108 is powered down. Optionally, the memory 142 may also include volatile memory.

One of the primary functions of the memory 142 is to store a number of parameters for a range of different valves that may be encountered during testing of valves in a political division, such as a municipality. The different valves may be differentiated according to, for example, the type, size, brand, or manufacturer (among other aspects) of the valve. The information associated with each type of valve may include, for example, maximum parameters of rotational force, revolutions, and speed applicable to a given type of valve. Preferably, this information about the valves is preprogrammed into the memory 142, and cannot be readily altered, but it is within the spirit of the invention that this data may be capable of periodic updating with revised information or new information. Another primary function of the memory 142 is to store specific information about parameters that are detected or measured during rotation events of each of the valves that may be exercised by the operator of the valve tester assembly over a period of time, such as, for example, a day or a week. This specific information may then be subsequently downloaded to a database that retains more permanent records of the rotation events for a plurality of valves in the political division. This episodic data may be automatically recorded in the memory 142 by the processor of the control module 140 as the rotation event is occurring, and then downloaded at a later time.

The control module 140 may be configured or programmed to perform a number of functions with respect to the elements of the valve tester assembly 100, to thereby control and detect a number of aspects or factors of a particular rotation event associated with a particular valve. These aspects or factors may be controlled, and in some cases measured and recorded, by the control module, for establishing a record of the particular rotation event to be recorded in the memory 142 for being subsequently downloaded or otherwise transferred from the assembly 100 to a more permanent storage facility. This information may be stored in the memory for downloading directly to a computing device, or to a storage device (with no computational capability), upon connection of the valve tester assembly to such devices through a communication port. Importantly, it is desirable that the control module 140, and the valve tester assembly 100 as a whole, be operable for rotating and testing a valve in the manner described, without having to be connected to any external device while the rotation event is being performed. As a result, the assembly 100 is essentially self contained and operable without such external connection, and only needs to be connected, either through wired or wireless means, to download data that has been collected during various valve exercising events. There is one significant exception to this general feature of the invention that will become apparent as this description proceeds.

One of the parameters of the rotation event that may be detected is the current date and current time, so that the date and the time corresponding to the rotation event of the valve may be established. The control module 140 may be configured to detect the current date and time of the rotation event. Optionally, this function may be performed by a timekeeping clock in the control module 140, or may be performed by the location detecting circuitry discussed below. Once detected, the date and the time corresponding to the rotation event may be recorded in the memory 142.

In a highly significant aspect of the invention, the control module 142 may be configured to detect a location of the valve tester assembly 100, and thus the valve being exercised, during a particular rotation event of the particular valve. The capability to determine the precise location of the valve being tested is primarily directed to ensuring the accurate identification of the valve being tested during a rotation event so that the information about the rotation event being performed is associated with the correct valve, and not with another valve. However, this capability may also be employed to help create a highly accurate map of existing valves for producing a database or map of the valves within a particular geographical area, especially where no map may have previously existed, or may have been inaccurate or generalized in identifying location. This capability can eliminate the need for the operator in the field to associate the valve being tested (and the data associated with the rotation event) with a valve identification number on a map, thus reducing the likelihood of errors in this aspect of the testing procedure. This capability of the invention may also serve to notify the operator prior to the beginning of the rotation event that the wrong valve is being tested if the known location of the valve does not match the location being detected by the valve tester assembly 100. It may also assist the operator in locating the valve, if the operator is able to read the tester location coordinates from the tester assembly and match them with coordinates on a list.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the location information or data may be supplied by a receiver 146 receiving location signals from the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system. In one embodiment of the invention, the GPS receiver 146 for receiving the GPS signals from the various satellites is integrated into the valve tester assembly 100, and is in direct communication with the control module 140 without any operator intervention to achieve this communication. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the GPS receiver 146 is a unit that is separate (or separable from) the valve tester assembly 100, and is connectable to the control module 140 through a data transmission interface or port 148 to transfer the location information to the control module 140 for recording in the memory 142. The interface may comprise, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) jack, but may include any other suitable proprietary or standardized interface capable of linking the GPS receiver 146 to the control module 140 ands transferring the relevant data.

The control module 140 may be further configured to receive and record a valve identification number associated with the valve. This identification number may be entered by the user performing the valve rotation event, or may be provided by a pre-selected or preprogrammed listing or sequence of valves to be tested. The control module 140 may also be configured to receive and record a depth measurement associated with the valve, such a depth of the valve below the ground surface. The depth measurement may be entered manually by the operator, or may be input by an automated sensing system.

The control module 140 may still further be configured to adjust a maximum rotational force level that may be applied by the motor to the valve during the rotation event. The value of this maximum rotational force level may be manually entered by the operator of the system, but in a preferred aspect of the invention, this value is preprogrammed into memory and is associated with the type (e.g., by brand, manufacturer, and/or size) of the valve that is being exercised, and is called up when the operator identifies (or otherwise indicates) the valve type.

Additionally, the control module 140 of the valve tester assembly 100 may also be configured to detect a level of rotational force that is actually being applied to the valve by the tester assembly during the particular valve rotation event. The control module 140 may also be configured to discontinue rotation of the valve by the motor when it is detected that the level of rotational force applied to the valve during the rotation event reaches the maximum force level for the particular type of valve being exercised. The control module 140 may also be configured to record a peak rotational force level applied to the valve during a rotation event of the subject valve by the motor 120. Optionally, a peak rotational force level for each rotation cycle of the rotation event may be recorded in the memory 142. The control module 140 may be configured to increase a level of rotational force applied to the valve in a gradually increasing manner, which is preferably a ramped, or substantially straight line, increase in the level of force applied.

The control module 140 may perform still further functions. For example, the control module 140 may be configured to adjust the maximum number of revolutions that the valve may be turned by the motor, according to the particular type of valve being exercised during the current rotation event and the parameters stored in the memory 142. The control module 140 may also be configured to count a number of revolutions of the valve by the motor 120 through the magnet and rotation sensor described above. The control module 140 may also be configured to discontinue rotation of the valve by the motor 120 when the count of the number of revolutions reaches the maximum number of revolutions for the valve. The control module 140 may further be configured to detect a revolution speed of the valve during the rotation event, and may also record a maximum revolution speed of the valve in the memory 142.

The control module 140 may be configured to download data collected during the rotation event of one or more valves. The control module 140 may be capable of downloading the collected data to an information handling system having processing capabilities, such as a personal computer, portable/laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, and the like. The control module 140 may be configured to communicate over a data link or cable to send data, including data regarding a valve rotation event, and receive data, such as updated or expanded data regarding acceptable rotation parameters for different types of valves. The data transmitted over the link may thus move to and from the memory 142. Optionally, the control module 140 may be configured to download the collected data to a device lacking any significant processing capability, such as a device containing a memory chip or a miniature disk drive, for example.

Turning to FIGS. 21 through 26, another implementation of the valve exercising system 150 of the invention for rotating a valve between open and closed conditions is depicted that includes enhanced features and operation, and will now be described. The valve exercising system of the invention may be used for exercising an underground valve, or a valve within a hydrant, although other types of valves may also be exercised using this system. For the purposes of this description, these different types of valves will be collectively referred to as valves with the understanding that the term, and the invention, is not limited to one particular type of valve.

As schematically shown in FIG. 21, the system 150 may comprise a fluid pump 152 for moving fluid from a fluid reservoir 153 through a fluid path 154 of the system 150, a fluid motor 156 for being operated by fluid moving through the fluid path, and a connector 158 that is configured to connect the fluid motor 156 to a valve 4 for rotating the valve between an open condition and a closed condition. The system 150 may also include a torque sensor 160 that is configured to sense the level or amount of torque generated by the fluid motor 156 for applying to the connector 158. Typically, the torque sensor 160 is configured to sense the pressure level of the fluid in the fluid path 154, and the pressure level can be used to calculate the torque level produced by the motor 156, although other torque measuring or calculating techniques may be used. The system 150 may also include a rotation speed sensor 162 that is configured to sense the speed of rotation of the fluid motor 156. Typically, the rotation speed sensor 162 is configured to sense the flow rate of fluid through the fluid path 154, and the flow rate is used to calculate the speed of rotation of the motor 156, although techniques for measuring or calculating the rotation speed may be used.

The system 150 may also include a torque controller 164 that is configured to control an amount of torque generated by the motor 156 applied to the connector 158 and the valve. Typically, the torque controller 164 may be configured to control the pressure of fluid in the fluid path 154, which in turn controls the amount of torque generated by the motor 156. In some embodiments, the torque controller 164 may comprise a pressure control valve that selectively allows a portion of the fluid path to return to the fluid reservoir 153 when a set pressure of the fluid in the path is met or exceeded. A torque controller adjuster 166 may be included that is configured to control a condition of the pressure control valve of the torque controller 164. The torque controller adjuster 166 may cause the pressure controlling valve to open and close to either an open or a closed position, or a position between open and closed. The torque controller adjuster 166 may comprise a potentiometer for controlling a voltage applied to an electrically-actuated pressure controlling valve, and the potentiometer may be controllable by the operator of the system 150. Preferably, the potentiometer is set by the operator to a setting that corresponds to the maximum torque level that the valve being exercised may be subjected without damage. The potentiometer may have a finger-operated knob to adjust the potentiometer, and the housing may have markings that correspond to various torque levels.

The system 150 may also include a rotation speed controller 168 that is configured to control the speed of rotation of the motor 156. The rotation speed controller 168 may control the flow rate of fluid through the fluid path 154. The rotation speed controller 168 may comprise a flow controlling valve that is moveable between an open and closed condition and positions in between open and closed. The flow controlling valve may bypass fluid to the fluid reservoir 153 when flow rate reduction is necessary. The rotation speed controller 168 may be responsive to an operator control.

A rotation speed controller adjuster 170 may be implemented on the system 150 and may be configured to control a position of the rotation speed controller 168. The rotation speed controller adjuster 170 may be in communication with the rotation speed sensor 162 for receiving rotation speed information. The rotation speed controller adjuster 170 may be responsive to the flow rate of fluid through the fluid path 154 sensed by the rotation speed sensor 162, and may tend to open the flow controlling valve when the flow rate is below a flow rate value set by the operator, and may tend to close the flow controlling valve when the flow rate is above the set value.

Significantly, the system 150 may include an alarm device 172 that is configured to generate an alarm when the pressure sensor of the torque sensor 160 senses that the pressure level of the fluid in the fluid path 154 has reached a threshold level. The operator may thereby be warned prior to the system generating the maximum level of torque, and possibly damaging the valve. The threshold level of pressure may comprise a set fraction of a maximum pressure level corresponding to a maximum level of torque that is suitable for the particular valve being exercised. In some implementations of the invention, the threshold level is approximately 85% of the maximum torque level for the valve being exercised, although the threshold level may be another fraction of the maximum, or even at the maximum torque level. The alarm device 172 may generate an audible alarm or sound to get the operator's attention. The alarm device 172 may also generate a visual alarm on a display screen 176.

The system may also include a rotation speed diminisher 174 that is configured to decrease the speed of rotation of the motor 156 when the pressure sensor of the torque sensor 160 senses that the fluid pressure level has reached a threshold level, which may or may not be the same threshold level as the alarm device 172. The rotation speed diminisher 174 may be configured to reduce the speed of rotation of the motor 156 to a predetermined level. In some implementations of the invention, the predetermined level of rotational speed may be a fraction of the speed of rotation prior to the reduction of the speed of rotation. In other implementations, the predetermined level may correspond to a predetermined flow rate. The rotation speed diminisher 174 thus acts on the flow controlling valve to cause the decrease in the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid path.

Optionally, the system 150 may operate in a number of different modes, and one of those modes may be a vibratory mode in which the valves of the torque controller 164 and/or the rotation speed controller 168 may be relatively quickly cycled between open and closed, or substantially open and substantially closed, conditions to cause the motor 156 to apply torque to the valve 4 in an intermittent manner that produces a vibratory effect. In other words, the application of force, or torque, by the motor 156 to the valve 4 is changed from a substantially smooth application of torque to a variable application of torque that varies quite quickly and functions to impact or jar the operating mechanism of the valve 4. While such an operational mode is not needed for normally operating valves, the vibration produced in this mode can be highly useful for attempting to free frozen or slow turning valves when they are encountered during the exercising process. The operation may similar to the use of an impact wrench to loosen frozen nuts or bolts, but this operation is integrated into the functions of the system 150 so that a separate tool is not needed. As a further option, the vibratory operational mode may be invoked when the torque applied to the valves by the system 150 reaches a particular level, such as, for example, the level at which the alarm 172 is triggered, and may be continued until the alarm conditions are no longer met. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the conditions under which the vibratory mode is invoked may be varied to a number of conditions or situations.

It will be noted that the configuration of the system that the torque controller 164 and the speed controller 170 are effectively arranged in parallel to each other in the system, so that torque and speed are controlled independently and so that changing the speed does not change the torque and vice versa.

In another aspect of the invention, an operating system is implemented that may utilize a series of menus for display on the display screen 176 to operate the system 150. In the illustrative implementation, five menus are used that may be operational during different stages of the valve exercising event, although more or fewer menus may be used. Illustratively, the menus may include an operating menu, a GPS menu, a valve settings menu, an optional settings menu, and a video capture menu.

The operating menu 200, shown in FIG. 22, is typically displayed and operational when the valve is currently being exercised or rotated. The operating menu 200 may primarily provide the operator with information during the exercising operation, and may also provide the operator with some operational control of the system. The operating menu 200 may include a torque meter 202 to visually display the amount of torque currently being applied by the motor to the valve being exercised. In one implementation of the operating menu, the torque meter 202 includes a bar graph comprised of a plurality of segments. One or more segments 204 of the bar graph that represent torque levels below a set torque level (such as the maximum torque level for the particular valve being exercised) are a first color, such as green, and one or more segments 206 that represent torque levels above the set torque level are a second color, such as red. Further, one or more segments 208 located between the first and second colors may be a third color, such as yellow. A digital readout 210 of the torque level currently being applied may be displayed on the display screen. Illustratively, the torque readout 210 may be positioned inside a box and may be located above the torque meter 202.

Optionally, when the set torque level is met or exceeded, an alarm siren may sound to provide the operator with a warning of the potentially dangerous torque level. Additionally, when the set torque level is reached or exceeded, a large legend 212 may be flashed on the display screen that says, for example, WARNING!

The operating menu 200 may also include a revolution count indicator 214, which displays on the screen the number of revolutions from one extreme condition of the valve (open or closed) that have occurred. Optionally, a depiction of a valve 216 and/or a hydrant 218 (in the form of valve-shaped icon and a hydrant-shaped icon) may be illuminated on the screen, depending upon which type of device is currently being exercised. Additionally, the depiction 216, 218 may change in some attribute as the number of revolutions approaches a limit of revolutions for the valve or hydrant being exercised. For example, the color of the depiction of the device may progressively change color as the condition of the device changes, such as turning from blue to red as the valve or hydrant is turned closed, and then changing from red to blue as the valve or hydrant is turned open. In FIG. 22, the portion 220 of the indicator 216 is a first color, and a second portion 222 of the indicator 216 is a second color, and the areas of the portions 220, 222 will progressively change as the condition of the valve changes.

Significantly, for the safe operation of the valve, when the set revolution count (which is the value of the number of revolutions of the valve stem between open and closed conditions) is reached or exceeded, an alarm may be triggered. The alarm may include both audible and visual components, such as sounding an audible beep and a displaying a flashing legend 224 (such as “ALERT!”) on the display screen. As previously noted, the turning speed of the motor 156 may begin to slow once the set revolution count is reached or exceeded, such as by a uniform ramping down or decrease of the speed.

The operating menu 200 may also include a valve operation indicator 226 of the valve state toward which the valve is progressing as it is being exercised. More specifically, the valve operation indicator may display or highlight a first indicator that the valve is being opened or a second indicator that the valve is being closed. Illustratively, the display screen may illuminate the legends “OPENING” or “CLOSING” depending upon the condition of the valve toward which the valve is progressing.

The operating menu 200 may also include an indication 228 of the number of times that the valve has been cycled from open to close that may be displayed when the system is in the valve mode. The operating menu may also include an indication of the flow rate of the water being flushed through the hydrant when the system is in the hydrant mode. The flow rate may be displayed in gallons per minute. The flow rate of water dispensed from the hydrant may be supplied to the system by, for example, a pressure transducer connected to a flow measuring device positioned in a flow diffuser device.

The operating menu 200 may also include an indication 230 of the volume of water used during the valve exercising and testing process. The indication of water used may be based in part upon the flow rate measurement.

The operating menu 200 may also indicate the current date and the current time 232.

The valve settings menu 240 of the system, which is illustratively shown in FIG. 23, may include an identification indication 242 for the valve being tested. In the settings menu 240, the various indicators may be implemented with submenus that may drop down from the position in the menu display. The operator may select from different options in the submenu, and in many cases may input an entry not available from the drop down submenus. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 244 of the size of the valve being exercised. For some types of valves, such as gate type valves, the system may automatically set the total revolution count for the valve at approximately three times the diameter of the valve entered here. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 246 of the type of valve being exercised, and this can be entered by the operator. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 248 of the type of the valve actuator. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 250 of the direction of rotation of the valve to move the valve to the open condition. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 252 of the direction of rotation of the hydrant to move the hydrant to the open condition.

The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 252 of the maximum number of revolutions that the valve may be turned between the open and closed conditions of the valve. This indication may be automatically generated from memory based upon the valve size and type of valve actuator. Optionally, the operator may be allowed to override the automatically generated maximum number of revolutions. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 254 of the maximum torque level that may be applied to the valve during the exercising of the valve. The maximum torque value may be programmed into the system and called up according to the valve information, may be entered by the operator. The settings menu 240 may also include an indication 256 of the maximum speed of rotation of the valve during exercising.

The optional settings menu 260, which is illustratively shown in FIG. 24, may include an indication 262 of the normal or usual position of the particular valve being exercised. For a hydrant, the indication is automatically indicated as being normally closed. The optional settings menu 262 may also include an indication 264 of the type of access for the valve, such as, for example, vault, valve box, manhole, as well as other possibilities. The optional settings menu 260 may also include the name 266 of the valve manufacturer or source. The optional settings menu 268 may also include an indication of the nozzle size of the hydrant. The optional settings menu 260 may also include an indication 270 of the depth of the valve box when applicable to the particular valve. The optional settings menu 160 may also include an indication 272 of the function of the valve, such as, for example, mainline control, hydrant control, service control, flow control, as well as other possibilities. The optional settings menu 260 may also include an indication 274 of any deficiencies of the valve that are observed by the operator, such as, for example, “unable to locate”, “poor access”, “valve box out of alignment”, “valve box broken”, “valve cover missing”, “valve cover not to grade”, “debris in valve box or pit”, “leaking valve”, “noisy operation”, “inoperable”, and other possibilities. The optional setting menu 260 may also include an indication 276 of any repairs that may be required for the valve that are observed by the operator, such as, for example, “repair valve”, “replace valve”, “repair valve box”, “replace valve box”, “clean valve box or pit”, “raise valve cover to grade”, as well as other possibilities.

The GPS menu 280, which is illustratively shown in FIG. 25, may include information relevant to the operation of GPS system. The GPS menu 240 may include, for example, the number of satellites being tracked by the system, and the strength of each satellite signal. Most significantly, the GPS menu 280 may display the latitude of the current position of the system and the longitude of the current position of the system. The GPS menu 280 may also display the accuracy of the measurement of the position.

The video menu 290, which is illustratively shown in FIG. 26, may optionally be included in the system for administering the image capture of the valve exercising event through either still images or moving video images. A still or video camera may be stationary mounted on the system, or may be movably mounted so that the still or video camera may be moved into close proximity of the valve, such as, for example, in a valve box or vault. The video menu 290 may include a depiction of the video currently being captured by the video camera.

The system of the invention may be used for initial data capture and entry from an initial exercising event for the valve or hydrant, and then much of the information that is gathered during the initial capture may be stored and called up for use on successive exercising events. The data from the initial and subsequent exercising events may be downloaded from the system to a more permanent database, and then reloaded onto the system when another valve exercising event is to be conducted.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that, except when mutually exclusive, the features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with features of other embodiments as desired while remaining within the intended scope of the disclosure.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Further, unless particular features are mutually exclusive, all of the various combinations of the features are intended to be encompassed by the invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A valve exercising system for rotating a valve between open and closed conditions, the system comprising: a fluid pump for moving fluid through the system through a fluid path; a fluid motor for being operated by fluid moving through the fluid path; a connector configured to connect the fluid motor to a valve for rotating the valve between an open condition and a closed condition; a torque sensor in communication with the motor, the torque sensor being configured to sense torque generated by the fluid motor for applying to the connector; a rotation speed sensor in communication with the motor, the rotation speed sensor being configured to sense the speed of rotation of the fluid motor; a torque controller in communication with the fluid path, the torque controller being manually adjustable by a user to control an amount of torque generated by the fluid motor; a rotation speed controller in communication with the fluid path, the rotation speed controller being manually adjustable by the user to control the speed of rotation of the motor; and an alarm device in communication with the torque sensor, the alarm device being configured to generate an alarm when the torque sensor senses the torque of the fluid motor reaches a threshold level.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the threshold level comprises a set fraction of a maximum level of torque for a valve being exercised.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm device generates a visual alarm.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the torque sensor is configured to sense a pressure level of the fluid in the fluid path, the torque controller being configured to control pressure of fluid in the fluid path; and wherein the rotation speed sensor is configured to sense a flow rate of fluid through the fluid path, the rotation speed controller controlling a flow rate of fluid through the fluid path.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the torque controller varies the amount of torque applied to the motor to create a vibratory effect on a valve when the valve is connected to the connector.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the threshold level comprises a set fraction of a maximum level of torque for a valve being exercised; wherein the alarm device generates an audible alarm; wherein the alarm device generates a visual alarm; a rotation speed diminisher in reactive communication with the rotation speed controller, the rotation speed diminisher is effective to reduce the speed of rotation of the motor to a predetermined level when the torque sensor senses that the torque sensor generated by the fluid motor reaches a threshold level; wherein the predetermined level is a fraction of the speed of rotation prior to the reduction of the speed of rotation by the rotation speed diminisher; wherein the torque sensor senses a pressure level of the fluid in the fluid path, the torque controller controlling pressure of fluid in the fluid path; and wherein the rotation speed sensor senses a flow rate of fluid through the fluid path, the rotation speed controller controlling a flow rate of fluid through the fluid path.
 7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a torque controller adjuster configured to control the torque controller in response to manual adjustment by the user.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a rotation speed controller adjuster configured to control the rotation speed controller in response to manual adjustment by the user.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the torque sensor is in reactive fluid communication with the fluid path to sense torque generated by the fluid motor from the fluid in the fluid path.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the rotation speed sensor is in reactive fluid communication with the fluid path to sense the speed of rotation of the fluid motor from the fluid in the fluid path.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the torque controller controls the amount of torque generated by the fluid motor by changing a parameter of the fluid in the fluid path.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the rotation speed controller controls the speed of rotation of the motor by changing a parameter of the fluid in the fluid path.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the torque controller comprises a manually-adjustable potentiometer.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm device generates an audible alarm.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the alarm device generates a visual alarm.
 16. The system of claim 1 additionally comprising a rotation speed diminisher in communication with the rotation speed controller, the rotation speed diminisher being configured to reduce the speed of rotation of the motor when the torque sensor senses that the torque generated by the fluid motor reaches a threshold level.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the rotation speed diminisher is configured to reduce the speed of rotation to a predetermined level.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the predetermined level is a fraction of the speed of rotation prior to the reduction of the speed of rotation by the rotation speed diminisher.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the predetermined level corresponds to a predetermined speed of rotation.
 20. A valve exercising system for rotating a valve between open and closed conditions, the system comprising: a fluid pump which pumps and moves fluid through the system through a fluid path; a fluid motor which is operated by the fluid moving through the fluid path; a connector which connects the fluid motor to a valve for rotating the valve between an open condition and a closed condition; a torque sensor in communication with the motor, the torque sensor sensing the torque generated by the fluid motor for applying to the connector; a rotation speed sensor in communication with the motor, the rotation speed sensor sensing the speed of rotation of the fluid motor; a manually-adjustable torque controller in communication with the fluid path, the torque controller effective for manually adjusting torque by a user to control an amount of torque generated by the fluid motor; a manually-adjustable rotation speed controller in communication with the fluid path, the rotation speed controller effective for manually adjusting speed by the user to control the speed of rotation of the motor; and a rotation speed diminisher in communication with the rotation speed controller, the rotation speed diminisher effective for reducing the speed of rotation of the motor when the torque sensor senses that the torque generated by the fluid motor reaches a threshold level.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein the rotation speed diminisher is effective for reducing the speed of rotation to a predetermined level; wherein the predetermined level is a fraction of the speed of rotation prior to the reduction of the speed of rotation by the rotation speed diminisher; an alarm device in communication with the torque sensor, the alarm device generating an alarm when the torque sensor senses the torque of the fluid motor reaches a threshold level; and wherein the threshold level comprises a set fraction of a maximum level of torque for a valve being exercised.
 22. The system of claim 20 additionally comprising an alarm device in communication with the torque sensor, the alarm device generating an alarm when the torque sensor senses the torque of the fluid motor reaches a threshold level.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein the threshold level comprises a set fraction of a maximum level of torque for a valve being exercised.
 24. The system of claim 20 wherein the rotation speed diminisher is effective for reducing the speed of rotation to a predetermined level.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the predetermined level is a fraction of the speed of rotation prior to the reduction of the speed of rotation by the rotation speed diminisher.
 26. The system of claim 24 wherein the predetermined level corresponds to a predetermined speed of rotation.
 27. A valve exercising system for rotating a valve between open and closed conditions, the system comprising: a fluid pump for moving fluid through the system through a fluid path; a fluid motor for being operated by fluid moving through the fluid path; a connector configured to connect the fluid motor to a valve for rotating the valve between an open condition and a closed condition; a torque sensor in reactive communication with the fluid path, the torque sensor sensing torque generated by the fluid motor from a pressure of the fluid in the fluid path; a rotation speed sensor in reactive communication with the fluid path, the rotation speed sensor sensing the speed of rotation of the fluid motor from a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid path; a manually-adjustable torque controller in reactive communication with the fluid path, the rotation speed controller being operable by a user to control the pressure of the fluid in the fluid path to thereby provide the user with control of an amount of torque generated by the fluid motor; a manually-adjustable rotation speed controller in reactive communication with the fluid path, the rotation speed controller being operable by a user to control the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid path to thereby permit the user to control the speed of rotation of the motor; and an alarm device in reactive communication with the torque sensor, the alarm device generating an alarm when the torque sensor senses the torque of the fluid motor reaches a threshold level. 